Accused hit-and-run driver charged with interfering

John Pirro

Updated 11:31 pm, Monday, November 5, 2012

DANBURY -- An arrest last week has complicated Eugene Robinson's chances of receiving a special form of probation for the hit-and run death of a fellow Western Connecticut State University student last year, attorneys in the case said Monday.

Just hours before a Superior Court judge gave Robinson permission to apply for the accelerated rehabilitation program for the accident that killed 19-year-old Dong Lin of Brookfield, Danbury police charged Robinson with interfering with their investigation of another accident in which the vehicle left the scene.

"It's a problem," Robinson's lawyer, David Moraghan said. "I don't know what's in the police report because I haven't seen it yet, but it's an issue that the judge is going to have to address."

Police said Robinson was a passenger in a 2007 Acura that struck a house on Wildman Street shortly after 1 a.m. Friday. The car left the scene, then broke down about a block away.

Robinson allegedly kept interrupting the officer who was questioning the driver, and he eventually tried to physically pull the driver away, police said.

Robinson, who lives in New Britain, was charged with interfering with the duties of a police officer and breach of peace.

The driver, Mohammed Imoro, 23, of Chestnut Street Extension, Danbury, was charged with evading responsibility, breach of peace, failure to carry insurance and operating under suspension.

Some hours after Friday's arrest, Judge John Blawie, over the objections of the prosecutor in the case, granted Moraghan's motion to allow his client to apply for accelerated rehabilitation.

Under the program, a person who is granted accelerated rehabilitation and successfully completes a term of probation has his arrest record wiped clean.

Moraghan argued that had his client not panicked and left the scene, he probably would not have been charged with a crime because police concluded Lin acted recklessly in attempting to cross the street.

Robinson abandoned his car in an apartment house parking lot and surrendered to police several days later.

Danbury lawyer John Hammer, who represents Lin's family, said Robinson's new arrest could impact the judge's decision on whether he should be admitted to the program.

"I think the judge is likely to consider it, because there are a lot of factors that go into an application for accelerated rehabilitation," Hammer said.

The victim's family is planning to oppose the request when a hearing is held Nov. 21, he said.

Robinson was released on $5,000 bond after the interfering arrest and is due to appear in court Nov. 14 on that case.